Session 18: Duel of the Fates

General Summary

October 20th, 1896 P.M.E. Osset, The Ghost Steppes, Daetus

The soldiers of the Barony collect themselves and tend to their wounded. Bemen and Reg are both dead. Some of soldiers begin to prepare the worm to be taken as a trophy for the Baron. The party loads into the carriage and Yera pulls it to the main gate of Osset. Snasil casts Feign Death on Mork just outside of the gate and Osric creates a cover story for the party to enter. The party enters as a Mercenary Band and is allowed to retain their weapons. Their armor, shields, and helmets are kept at the gate for when they return. They also pay a 10% tax on their coinage.   Immediately upon entering Osset there are rows of hanged wizard students from the field school. Most of the students have wooden signs around their necks saying things like "Traitor", "Slave to the council", and "Videssos Loyalist". Mork awakens from his feigned death once the party reaches the mercantile district. From this district it can be seen that the Guild of Archaeology has been surrounded by a fleet of ships equipped with siege rockets and handgunners. The siege rockets fire salvo after salvo at the building. People can be seen jumping from ledges and windows to their death. Those who exit the building are immediately shot by a volley of handgun fire.   The party eventually makes it to the Fire Agate Tavern. They enter and have a drink. Rhys recognizes them and says that they cannot stay the night at the tavern as it will draw too much negative attention to himself. Yera and Rhys have a more candid conversation in Troll about the current events in Osset and where Yera can find some assistance in their quest to retrieve the Baron's wife and her brother. With the guidance of Rhys, the party heads to the Bitter Jug, just north of the naval arena, in order to find some Fallencloaks form which they can buy information/assistance.   The party enters the Bitter Jug to a familiar sight. The Dite Quartet from Faowin's wedding is playing here. Osric signals to Giacomo, the lyre player, that he wants to talk after the performance. Osric is shocked how they got here so fast and what they want with Mork. Giacomo responds with a variety of non-answers. During the performance the band is fixated on Mork. After the performance, some of the local rabble throw a glass toward Mork, nearly missing his head. Mork confronts the group, and they jokingly take his coin pouch and flaunt it in front of him. Mork pulls out his flintlock pistol and fires at the cutpurse, he hits him in the lower left abdomen and he falls to the ground. The other two try to grab Mork, but in their drunken state they fall face first on to the ground. Mork then clubs one of the guys on the ground in the shin with the butt of his pistol, likely fracturing his shin. At this point the barkeep locks the door and draws the curtains. A group begins to approach Mork and tries to diffuse the situation. After some dialogue they agree to go into the cellar and talk business. They learn some things about what the Baron is doing in town and where he and Faowin are staying. They determine that Morthil is likely still in the Guild of Archaeology, but after scouting out the Guild and talking to the Fallencloaks they decide entering the Guild is likely a suicide mission.   The party then heads to the High Council Field School. The bridge to the school is blockaded by Inquisitors of Bane who have razed it and hanged the students that made it out. Snasil is delighted by the slaughter. Mork recognizes one of the hanged students as Derrick. He was wearing a wooden spoon around his neck with the symbol of Skalzahar engraved on it. The sign around his neck says "Prophet to a false god" written in Goblin. Mork climbs up and grabs the spoon off of his neck.   The party then heads to the Town Hall. Music can be heard faintly from outside. The district seemingly lacks guards patrolling the streets. Only two guards appear to be on watch outside of the greco-roman columned building. Mork charges straight through the door past the guards, their plate armor encumbers their movement and they are no match for Mork. Snasil follows. Yera and Osric remain outside. Mork bursts through the large doors directly center of the hallways. He enters a central courtyard which is filled with various nobility enjoying food and drink. In the center of the courtyard Gorag and Faowin are sharing a dance while a pianist performs a joyous tune. The music stops and Gorag steps forward, masking his anger with bravado as he attempts to humiliate Mork. Mork then challenges him to a duel. Seemingly unthreatened by the small Goblin he accepts. Mork then names Yera as his champion.   Yera is summoned to the courtyard, and Osric is asked if he wants to watch, to which he replies "why not". Osric lends Jagged Nightfall to Yera and Yera gives Osric her great scimitar just incase things get hairy. The two duelist shake hands then draw their weapons. Yera takes the first strike, landing a massive blow on Gorag. Gorag rebuts by forming 6 mirror images of himself. The fight is close as the two exchange blows. Yera is clearly the more skilled fighter, but has troubles getting through Gorag's illusory magic. Osric and one of the guards grab some wine from one of the tables and start drinking. Eventually, Yera falls with a swift slice to her neck. Gorag cockily celebrates his victory. Faowin walks up to Gorag and leans in, seemingly to give him a celebratory kiss, but she draws a stiletto and buries it in his throat. Mork runs to comfort Yera in her last moments. Osric returns Yera's great scimitar to her, laying the blade in her hands over her body. The guard initially are puzzled. Unaware of what to do. An emissary of Dawngate steps forward, kneels beneath Faowin and states that the Baron has no heir, and as such Faowin is now the Baroness of Osset. He chants "All Hail Her Barony Faowin Raolryn", the guard and the party join in on the chant.  

Rewards Granted

25,000 XP Faowin becomes Baroness
15,000 XP Gorag Goldcrown Defeated

Missions/Quests Completed

Faowin is released from the clutch of Gorag Goldcrown
Faowin becomes Baroness of Osset
Yera fulfills prophesy

Character(s) interacted with

Rhys, Trollborn bartender of the Fire Agate Tavern
A couple of Fallencloaks, names unknown
Baron Gorag Goldcrown 
Faowin Raloryn 
Inquisitors of Bane